davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03
Birmlnxham 10 Cashbert.

A Cuthbert dispatch says that the Birming
ham, Georgia and Florida Railroad Company.
through their chosen representative, has secretly
purchased of the Tallahassee, cambridge and
Western company, the old road bed, known as
the Bainbridge. Cuthbert and Columbus road,
and propose building through line to be COM
pleted this year. from Birmingham. Ala, to Tai
iahassee, Fla, via Opelika, Florence, Cuthbert
and cambridge The conditions prescribed are
donations Of the stipulated sums from the coun-
ties through which Il will run from this place to
Bainbridge The money is to be given to the
company in consideration of the enhanced
value which will accrue from the build
ing of said line to the real estate
of the parties donating, and moth
ing else is asked In return. These sums will ag
gregate 500. 600 alongside the old roadbed alone,
and have already been obligated In notes, to be
void If not built BY the first Of 1888 The road is
to be built and operated as q connecting line for
the Kansas City road, now nearing completion
70 Birmingham, and will give through line TO
the Atlantic and Gulf ports Parties who have
lust LEFT Cuthbert for the lower counties are ar
ranging the premina-ies, which have been con-
ducied in the Quetest manner, and the hands
will be put to work 40 soon a. these are com.
pleted. These gentlemen give every assurance
of the ability Of the corporation, in whose inter-
est they are at work, to build the line, and have
already paid large cash sum for the old road
bed-Sdoannah Nesoa FEB. %.
The incorporation notice of the COM
pany proposing to build the above road
is printed in the FLoRrDrAN, and it will
be seen that three substantial citizens of
Tallahassee are among the incorporators.
It would seem from the above that the
company means energetic, rapid business,
and it must do quick work to comply with
the conditions of the donations as stated.
We find in the Birmingham Age official
notice that the books of subscription to
the capital stock of the Birmingham,
Georgia and Florida Railroad Company,
ain Jefferson county, Alabama" will be
opened on the 18th day Of March instant
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

Governor Perry osltalnly deserves CON.
mediation soe the appolntmens 81 that stsr-
linz citisea, eoartly esot,smaa, gallant col
soldier, and upright judgs-0ssseal J. J. FIN
lev. - q. 8 Senator from the III Of March,
1857, until the Legislature next April hlh the
vacancy caused BY the expiration Of the term Of
once Of Hon. c. W. Jones.
This appointment was unsolicited and was
quite Q surprise to the old hero.
We learn that he has accepted the1 appoint
meut, and his credentials have been sent TO him
end to Washington.
If there is . called session between. now and
the election Of Senator by the Legislature IN
April our State will have two representatives In
the Senate for the drst time In two years.
The appointment of such man a. General
Finley to the position Of Senator, when the place
was unthought OF by him, is quite refreshing in
this era of political combinations, when selfish
motives are attributed to 20 many.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

Trsasarses - Csansy 0sAsel $3.50.
Tue attention Of msnbsn q opssU Doasds
Of Public Inserucsioa b alrsctsd 10 ~ follow
ing opinioa of Assosnsy-osssnl Cooper:
owns o. AzTennu1-6UmkI,
TAlLAxl1nzz. Pa February 14 leez.g
Hon. A. J. 1sssn. SkSaissssdsss n Asses h
strwetioNs ~
sn: In reply 70 pour question = % whether
County Treasurer arc - b paid oe their e.fvt-
ces - Treasurer Of the School Funds Of their
respective counties NON soch county scnoo:
funds, or ffom the general county fanda an Of
'ns ssc,ion l q oP 1F Of the New cos.u
lion. directs that :" he compoosatton 81 I'll
county school ofacers shall b paid nom the
school fund q their respective coonssea 80
ton .. Of Chept~ 1eee. Act, o. 49,. cOs
of The Department Of Public Instruction shall
be . Superintendent Of Public Insesuctioo, .
Stase Board Of Education, Board o. Pubic
Instruction for each county, superintendent Of
Schools for each county, local School Trustees,
Treasurer and AgsntA" Chapter 1855, Acas OF
1877, (McC.s Dig, p sl9. Sec. ~ enacts that
I" the County Treasurer Of the several counties
In this State shall be. and the same are hereby
constituted the Treasurer Of the School Funds In
their respective counties" The several County
Boards Of Public Instruction have the charge,
management and control OF the respective
county school funds, and think that under the
legislation above set forth, County Treasurer, 10
50 far - they are s1cbeo Treasures ofthe School
Funds In their respective countiee are the agents
Of the several County Boards Of Public Instruc-
ton. and ore TO be considered county school
officers within the meaning Of the above quoted
clause Of Sec. 10, Art. XII, OF the New Constitu-
tion that IL TO say, for tho purpose OF deter min
ing from what funds they are to be paid am
Of opinion, therefore, that they should be paid
any compensation to which they may be enti-
tied for their services - Treasurers Of the re-
speclive County School Funds out Of such
school funds Very respectfully,
C. n. CooPER, Attorney General.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

We refer to communication of DIR.
Kost, State Geologist who reports dis
coveries during . brief visit to West
Florida, from which he returned day be
fore yesterday. It would seem that he
can hardly 60 afield in any part of the
State that will not reveal to the quick
eye Of science some of the treasures OF
the earth-crude, cheap substances they
may be for the most part, but necessities
in their line of usefulness. Some of the
results of DR.. Kost's volunteer labors
during the limited time that he has been
enabled to give to his preliminary sur
vey" have been of much value, and fully
demonstrate the great Importance of q
thorough survey, which may reveal min
eral wealth that would otherwise re-
main unknown, and abundant deposits at
various places Of phosphates as rich as
those of Wakulla. Florida but entered
upon her swift career of progress few
years since, and is yet behind other
States in some things, and one is geologi.
cal research, which may show values to
exist below the surface almost as great
as those above it. The coming Legisla
ture should certainly legislate and appro-
pirate for the establishment of State
Geological Survey. The State is not
poor, for the revenue exceeds the expense
account, and but little of the surplus
would pay for continuing and extending
the important geological work which DR.
Kost began and has been doing without
pay, finding his reward in the gratiica
ton Of scientific interest. But the State
should aid the work that is for the pub.
lie benefit, and we know that the people
by large majority, want it continued
and not one of them who understands the
subject can reasonably object.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

Geological Sarvey-C0al In Florida.
Editors Noridion In accordance TO promise
report to you the results of my recent researches
in the western part of the State. am pleased to
state that found the deposits Of clay In Escam-
bia county equal to what had been reported OF
them. Various localities 10 that county afford
clays that make good brick. Some Of it 10 fine
pottery clay. A similar deposit of clay also oc-
ours in Santa Rosa county.
But the most interesting discovery that made
in the western portion OF the State is deposit of
coal 10 Santa Rosa county, near Milton, on the
west bank Of the Blackwater river. 1t 10 Ignite
tertiary deposits, which are those Of oil Florida
But this coal Is nevertheless of value, and has
good heating power. 1t 10 exactly similar
to the coal used for the locomotives of one of
the Pacific Railroads in propelling their heavy
trains over the Rocky Mountains, which also is
tertiary coal. So also is that quaried near Rich
mond, in Virginia. The deposit is about thirty
inches in thickness. and is situated about eight
feet below the common surface, and lies horizon
tai The upper surface of this deposit is somewhat
percolated by clayey material, and thus damaged
to some extent How great the extension of the
deposit is, cannot at this time be stated. But
the coal Is found to exist, and although some
what above the horizon in which coal deposits
were expected to be found In Florida, it may yet
prove to be of considerable extent. even though
it lies In 30 high position. The condition for
coal deposits are not necessarily confined to the
pa1Doaoic formations, or especially to the carbon
ferrous. And coal IL found In the nsssosoie and
tertiary as well. But in these latter formations
the coal is lighter and less bituminous, Will
also Of a more fbrous texture. 1t seldom breaks
up into cuboid or jointed Jumps, common to the
old depodta
In this coal the hbrous texture of the material
is very conspicuous, and even the species of
plants that produced the coal can be determined.
These are mainly cedar and arbor vita.
Thus the fact ofthe existence of coal in Florida
cannot be longer disputed; while also there may
now be reasonable expectations entertained Of
more discoveries.
In Jackson county discovered deposit of
iron of the limonite variety that proves to be
the best I have 10 far examined in the State.
Rouw
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

Lightning N . Cotton Consumer.
On the night Of February 18th stray thus-
derbolt struck the colossal wharves and ware
houses of the q. 8. Government on Stain
Island, igniting and destroying 10000 bales Of
cotton, and reducing the warehouse buildings 70
ashes
The cotton, at ffy dollars bale, represents
loss Of eight hundred thousand dollars, and the
destruction of the buildings represents loss Of
fifty thousand more.
The property was insured for nearly million
dollars, and the American. Royal and London
and Globe insurance companies are the chief
loeer
To one who watches the laborious process Of
cultivating, gathering, ginning selling and ship
ping cotton, what loss of human labor does
this Ore represent At an average of three bales
to colored family Of laborers, this bonfire Of q
single night at Tompkinsville destroys the
years work of about 5000 families.
If this cotton could have been soaked few
moments In nitric and sulphuric acids it would
have made an explosive (gun-cot,on) sufficient
to have supplied all the dynamiters of Christen
dom and to have blown the earth off its axis
The midnight Illumination Of this conHagn.
ton was surprisingly grand. and quite threw
into the shade the colossus Of Liberty En-
tightening the World" which stood serenely
overlooking the iery scene . few hundred fss.
down the bay.
The only thing we know of that will ap-
proach the brilliancy Of this scene without
having the same destructive effect, are the Two
science entertainments Prot. Richards is to give
on the evenings Of the 9TH and 9th Of March.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

Mr. Geo. W.eaxon, who own. -. -
acres Of excellent land In Len cou,,, -
has more laid than be can afford % -
have : railroad 70 Tallahassee; .Aesslbr = 3
site nv q biz land 900 acrsS to sid i 49,. 49,
ne s os'ld,os q . railroad 70 Tallahassee :.
Saxon evincs The proper spiri,-,b. -. ~
public spirited. snterpsidng cisissa-,s."
that builds railroads and DEVELOPS eo.,,.' IN
To secure railroad northward ftm T.n..
- ill mus unite. and do their bes.-e.d :. y.
bess now. II oGs hundred citizen. -
coaaty VIII do - well - Mr.. ssxo. a
have the long desired and much needes ~ s'h
neessoo northumberland one railroad b, T.s
na''se means moro railroads for T.llsh,..s. -. !,
the near future u
Shall We have the railroads, 10 ou..,,o.
people Of Leon county and Tallahss.ee A.. 49, -
upon to answer, and We believe the .n,v.. -.
come prompt and emphatic-Ysl vi
so mote 1t be-"
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

AT the last annual inspection the
Pensacola and Atlantic Division (nclu-
ding the splendid bridge across Escambia
Bay) was awarded the first prize a. be-
ing the best Division in every respect of
the entire Louisville and Nashville Rail-
road system.
"A corps Of engineers are surveying
road from Tallahassee to Birmingham
which, If completed, will be styled the
birmingham, Georgia and Tallahassee
Short Line. A gentleman, who ID we'll
posted remarked to-day that the line
would be surely finished ct very early
day.-JacksonvjNe Herald.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03
CCommunicated.1


Inc k1Ght 000 IN the Right Place.
Senator Finley Florida's chevalier. Sans
psur ct sans reprocas His friends thank Gov.
Perry for his appointment. Writing confden-
TALLY 10 one of them January 10Th, 1887, he says:
/" have for years been passing, and am still
under cloud Of adversely. The great dearth
of legal business aud the ruinous competition in
the profession in Ocala There being twenty law
yers IN our little town., makes it exceedingly
di6acult to earn even scanty support, and it is
only by q pinching. not to say . niggardly
economy, that I am able to provide for my fam
lily. l am very poor and am making as literal .
struggle for existence a. the man whose labor
alone stands between him and want"
Surely it will be the good pleasure ofFloridas
Legislature to CONFIRM this appointment of Gov
Perry by electing this brave old defender of her
affairs and nresides 70 the q. 8. Senate for full
term Of six years. DEHocRAT
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03
Now Then. No Nero Foollshness

That there is no lack Of life and purpose in
this old land yet, when fairly presented with a
business problem, by business men in q business
like way, was made evident at last nights railway
meeting at the court house
And the settled conviction of the average man
in Tallahassee this morning Is that the rail con-
nection of Tallahassee with the Georgia system
of railways to the northward has taken real
beginning with its perfected end not twelve
months away.
The proposition submitted to the people of
Leon county by the Savannah, Florida and
Western Railway Company was: really the Arst
tangible project from reliable source that our
citizens have ever been called on to entertain,
and the alacrity and enthusiasm with which it
was accepted puts an end to the uncertainty
OF this long needed work.
Something over 900 in cash and real pro
perty of guaranteed value was promptly sub
scribed by the citizens at the meeting last even
ing, about % per cent of the amount necessary
to be raised, and the active committee appoint
ed to push the work are at work to-day rapidly
increasing the fund.
Now then let US all pull together and In earn
est and promptly perfect this good work, and
enthuse new life and energy in our beautiful
land Let every citizen In old Leon come to the
ront an d, his and her part, and share in the
pride and prosperity thxt must result to US
The gentlemen who visited us from Balm
bridge in the interest Of the Tallahassee, Balm
bridge and Western corporation, who propose to
give US connection via Bainbridge and Cuth-
bert with Birmingham return to their home
not disappointed that the acceptance
Of the proposition Of the Plant people took prece-
dence of their own, but " thoroughly encour.
aged," as they expressed it, to believe that Icons
people means business, and that In promptly &C.
complishing through connection with the north
by way of Townsville, for the small sum of
$4,000. they are putting themselves In position
to be able with greater ease In the near future TO
insure and secure the weatern road by way OF
cambridge.
The cauvassing committee having sthe sub.
scriptions 10 hands will thoroughly can.
vass the county and give everyone q
chance 70 aid In this work. On Monday, tho
7th inst, this committee and others interested
in this work propose to spend the day at Cen.
treville. 10 this county, where they invite all
the citizens Of the county 70 meet them and
join In the enterprise It b to b hoped that al
our people In the county will: respond. ID
few hours We have raised ons-third Of the amount.
We confidently predict that Tallahslsoe WI
double this amount, and the people q ne
county win cheerfally put up the remaining
one.third. $3.50
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03
Governor Wilson, Of West virgi

Governor Wilson, of West Virginia,
has appointed Hon. d. B. Lucas, Demo
Graf, United States Senator.
The residents of the Mainland of
Monroe county are 70 meet 1t Fort Ny
ers next Saturday to consider measures
looking to division Of the county.
Lieutenant Greeley has been nomina.
ted for Chief Signal O6cer 70 succeed
General Haven, With the rank of Briga-
dier-G General. There il but little doubt
of his confirmation.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

South Florida will soon be indebted To H;ds,.
Flsrida for something excellent. for Co.
Slusser will Do there with his L" Walks,om;.. =
and the bright waters OF Charlotte H.rhor N,
lash about the PROV Of the swim and b,na.o...
steamer that was built In Tallahassa. -
launched over the railroad into the Gulf TO-
miles away. As the Walkatomica.p fr,;,..
aud P~ses.se- hat Thoroughly v.u -.
staunch and strong, with latest marine r..s:N N
cry, is going down south among stranger, :.
want to introduce her as "Tsllah...ss 80
andAhe pet of Captain VIM. P. Slusser So. SUI
Tallahasseean Of some forty years resid.n.. :.
Is somewhat curious how the Walk.,o,.,.-,'
happened to be, and 1t was s.-nehov a.
Captain Slusser was not Q sailor, br, h. -
fancy for the sea; good many perso.. ~.
and never gel there; Captain Slusser did. a.
his own ship. He wanted her built to suit +,
and money was NO object ; and he wanted h.,
built in Tallahassee, even II it was twenty mile.
from salt water; and he had her built b.,.
among the hill plantations, timbered and ul.nt,a
Of tough Florida wood, alongside of The q,
Marks railroad, which served a. marine r,il.
way to bear her to the water with colss 6vin,
On the Gulf she proved good sea boat and
challenged all corners in speed. and on the Ana.
lachicola river made the fastest time on record
there.
After two seasons of sailorizing Captain Sins.
ser concluded that he wanted to experience IN.
charm Of change" 10 his Walkatomics.n and
set about reconstructing her upper works, and
10 fact, making another boat of her from below
the water line upward. Money again being no
object, reconstruction was accomplished by
gang Of ship carpenters from Apalachcols who
have been at work for months, and the " Walk.
atomica" is nearly ready for sea with better
cabin accommodations and more deck and hold
room than she had when q mere pleasure Gin
pier for excursion tripa She is now adapted for
profitable work in peninsular waters.
Everybody round here will wish the @Admisl
OF Apalachee hearty bon soyags as he laysthe
course of his flag ship shouthward, and win
hope that if she stays down there always he
won't Come back soon, admiral, and help build
. railroad. You built . steamboat ell alone,
but plenty will aid on the steam cars.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03
The specisl term Of the Circuit Court

The special term Of the Circuit Court
for the second trial Of Bogue Selph. for
the killing of Kirkland, convened at Live
Oak on the 2lst February, Judge vann
presiding. A jury was not obtained nm
til the 35th, and the trial was not ended
At our last advioes, which were by spe-
cisl ::dispatch, dated 1t halfpast three
O'Clock yesterday, ed instant, which Sta
ted that Col. White had just concluded
powerful argumsnt in dsfsnos Of Sslph,
and that The prospect Of his acquittal was
favorable.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

The @aa1rooA 4ootanG.
Tue Circuit Court room was crowded hast
night with citizens invited there TO attend rail-
road meeting.
Judge D. w. Gwynn was elected chairman.
and N. n. Bowen secretary. The chairman
stated the object of the meeting. when ex-Aayos
Edward Lewis introduced Col g g. AcLendou,
attorney for the Savannah, Florida and Western
Railway Company, who read the proposition OF
his company to the people OF Tallahassee and
Leon county [priuted elsewherel.
Col McLendon spoke at length, explaining the
proposition In all Its bearings.
While Col. McLendou was speaking . delega-
ton arrived from Bainbridge-Dr. E. J. Morgan,
Judge Maston O'Neal, Col. A. L Hawes and
Major Ben T. Russell, editor Of the Dsmocras-
representing the Tallahassee, cambridge and
Western Railway Company.
Mr. Lewis read the following telegram from
Receiver Duval:
w. o. AMKs: Parties whom ! represent win un-
dOubtedly build the road 10 Columbus without ex
pense TO the people Of Tallalassec, and the people
OF Tallahassee want road TO Thomasviie, ana VIII
grade the same, parties whom I represent will do
all the construction necessary to operate the road
would be glad to have this representation made
to the people. 81 r. DuvAL, Receiver.
Mr. Lewis introduced Colonel Halves and Ma
jor Russell. of the Bainbndge delegation. Col
onel II. made proposition, on behalf OF the T.
B. & Western Company, similar to the one made
by Mr.. Haines, and Major Russell followed in a
short but stirring speech.
Mr.. R. c. Long was thenext speaker. His re-
marks were to the point and delivered in his &C
customed and forcible manner. Mr.. Long offered
resolution, which was amended by Hon. D. 8
Walker, Jr., and adopted:
Resolved, That the undersigned, citizens of Leon
county Fla assembled at the court-house In T:Il,-
hereby pledge themselves to execute, within ten
days from date, deeds and written obligations for
the amounts of lands or money set opposite our
names respectively to the Savannah, Florida and
Western Railway Company, conditioned that the
said railway company shall construct, equip and op.
crate q standard gauge railroad from the city OF
Townsville in the State of Georgia, to the city Of
Tallahassee in the State of Florida, before the rst
day of May, 1888, the said deeds and money obli-
cations to be deposited, In the meantime, with
Messrs B. c. Lewis & Sons, Bankers, of Tallahassee,
Fla, to be held by them In trust and to be delivered
by them to the said railway company upon the COM
pletiou, equipment and operation Of the said rail-
way within the specifedtime
Ex-Mayor Lewis made short speech, in which
he advocated aiding both companies proposing
to build to Tallahassee.
On motion of Ex.Mayor G. W. Walker, the
following committee was selected to solicit sub
scriptions of lands and money: Messrs P. Hous-
touu, John Bradford George w. Saxon, Edward
Lewis and ]. r. Cohen.
The committee was requested to proceed with
work at once.
Subscriptions were called for with the follow.